KARACHI: In a bizarre but not uncommon technical glitch, several citizens have found themselves declared “deceased” in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records despite being alive. Recently, a resident of Hyderabad reported this distressing issue, prompting a clarification on the recovery process.
How Does This Happen?
According to a NADRA representative, the authority does not unilaterally declare a person dead. The status is updated based on data received from local government bodies. The two primary reasons for this error are:
Family Reporting: A family member may have mistakenly or intentionally obtained a death certificate from the Union Council (UC). Data Entry Error: A clerical error in the ID number during the issuance of someone else’s death certificate can result in the wrong person being marked as deceased.
The Step-by-Step Recovery Process
If you find yourself in this situation, simply visiting a NADRA office will not solve the problem initially, as NADRA relies on UC data. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Union Council (UC) The affected individual must first approach the relevant Union Council office where the death certificate was issued. Step 2: Cancellation of Death Certificate You must apply for the formal cancellation of the erroneously issued death certificate. NADRA’s database will not change until the UC record is rectified. Step 3: Biometric Verification Once the certificate is cancelled by the UC, visit any NADRA registration center across the country. You will be required to undergo a biometric verification to prove your identity and physical presence.
Note: Once the biometric process is complete, your status will be updated to “Citizen” (Alive) in the national database, and your CNIC will be restored to active status.
